Creative Arts Camp. Listen to Your Art is the theme for Wilshire’s Creative Arts Camp, a new summer offering for kids designed for 2020. The mostly online experience, led by Children’s Choir Coordinator Candy McComb, will be held the week of July 6 and is open to kids who have completed grades 1 through 6. In addition to online music-making, kids will participate in visual arts, movement, cooking, moviemaking, writing, magic and more. There will be a parking lot performance and other live events where social distancing will be practiced. The $30 cost per participant includes a T-shirt and art supplies. Supply bags can be picked up in the north parking lot on Wednesday, July 1, from 2 to 2:30 p.m. and 6 to 6:30 p.m. as well as Monday, July 6, from 9 to 9:30 a.m. Registration is open at wilshirebc.org/registration.
Good Neighbor Award. Max Post is the winner of this week’s Good Neighbor Award. Max has been keeping the New Song senior adult choir connected through weekly Zoom sing-alongs and continues to be a faithful servant looking out for all our neighbors. You can nominate someone for the Good Neighbor Award at wilshirebc.org/registration.
“This Is My Story” videos. Tune in each Wednesday for prayer, music and an interview with a Wilshire member. On June 24, pastoral resident Leigh Curl will have a conversation with Kelly Akins. The weekly videos will be posted on YouTube and Facebook by noon, and the link will be sent in the midweek update email from George Mason.
The Women of Wilshire Tuesday Evening Book Club now meets via Zoom once a month at 7 p.m. Upcoming dates and books: July 14, The Giver of Stars by JoJo Moyes with discussion led by Barbara Peterson; Aug. 18, A Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vanauken with discussion led by Carla Siegesmund. To register, contact Debby Burton at dburton@wilshirebc.org.
The WOW! Brown Bag Book Club now meets via Zoom the first Thursday of each month. Upcoming dates and books: July 2, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman; Aug. 6, The Tatooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris. To register, contact Abbey Adcox at aadcox@wilshirebc.org or Carolyn Murray at cmurray@wilshirebc.org.
Wilshire interns. Four college undergrads and one seminary graduate recently began internships at Wilshire and are helping re-imagine summer activities during the COVID-19 shutdown. Summer interns are: Hannah Granberry, Savannah College of Art and Design, in preschool ministry; Blake Brown, Villanova University, and Emma Roden, Baylor University, in children’s ministry; and Zoe Moore, Dallas Baptist University, in music ministry. In addition, Jacob Leal has begun a year-long internship in Wilshire’s student ministry. Jacob interned at Wilshire last summer and just completed his studies at Duke Divinity School.
Wilshire library offers curbside pickup. Wilshire librarian Barbara Peterson is making it possible to check out books from the church library even while the building is closed. First, search the library’s online catalog by visiting wilshirebc.booksys.net/opac/wbc/#menuHome. This link is available in the library section of the Wilshire app and website. Then send an email to bpeterson@wilshirebc.org with “Book Requests” in the subject line and tell her what titles you wish to check out (limit 5). She will work out a safe plan to get the books to you via curbside pickup or delivery.
Will you keep up the Friday Five?. All are invited to continue in an easy pastoral care project called “Friday Five.” Every Friday, commit to contact at least five Wilshire friends in your circle of influence to see how they’re doing. Think first of those who are not your family or closest friends but who would love to hear from you.
CBF Online General Assembly, June 25-26. Travel isn’t required to attend this year’s Cooperative Baptist Fellowship General Assembly. Due to the pandemic, the annual gathering is being held online. Forming Bold Faith is the theme for the two-day event, June 25-26, which will include worship, workshops and even a virtual exhibit hall. There’s no cost to attend but registration is required. CBF is a Christian network of individuals and churches that work together to spread the hope of Christ, and is Wilshire’s primary partner in global missions. You can find the full General Assembly schedule and registration information at cbf.net/general-assembly-2020.
Take-Home VBS. Who is My Neighbor? Learning to Love Like Jesus is the theme for our Take-Home Vacation Bible School, a free offering for kids age 3 through 6th grade. Take-home packets will include all the resources needed to do VBS on your own time. Links to video segments for grades 1 through 6 will be emailed daily. Optional activities will be held in Wilshire’s north parking lot for families in small groups. Social distancing will be practiced. Registered families will receive an email with details. You still have a chance to drive through and pick up your packet in the north parking lot on Sunday, June 21, from 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Packets may also be picked up in Sachse on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. if that’s more convenient.
Mark Wingfield to be honored next Sunday. Next Sunday, June 28, Wilshire will honor and celebrate Associate Pastor Mark Wingfield, who is leaving the church staff to become Executive Director of Baptist News Global. Sunday morning’s worship service will include a special time of recognition, and you’ll want to mark your calendar now for a drive-by reception for Mark and his wife, Alison, that same evening from 5 to 7 p.m. at their home in Lake Highlands. Full details will be available in next week’s Tapestry.